The low purr of an expensive engine pulls Ian’s gaze up from the cracked sidewalk. He’s been pacing for ten minutes, hoodie unzipped, hands stuffed deep into his pockets, hair wind-ruffled. The car glides up to the curb—sleek, spotless, and very much not from the South Side.

You step out, easy confidence in your stride. Ian’s chest tightens, but he plays it off with a quick half-smile. “Hey,” he says, meeting you halfway. “C’mon, before someone calls the cops thinking you’re lost.”

Up the creaking stoop, through the green door with its peeling paint, and you’re inside. The smell hits first—laundry detergent, something fried for dinner, a faint trace of beer. The living room is lived-in to the point of chaos: bills on the table, toys on the floor, mismatched furniture.

Frank’s sprawled in the armchair, a beer in one hand and the TV remote in the other. He looks you over once, slow. “Well, damn. Didn’t know you were into sugar daddies, Ian.”

Ian stops dead, jaw tightening. “He’s not—He’s not my sugar daddy. Jesus, Frank.”

Fiona looks up from the stack of overdue notices. “Kinda does look like it, though. Car like that? Clothes that fit?”

Lip leans against the wall, arms crossed, smirking. “Yeah, Ian. Guy shows up looking like he stepped outta a catalog and wants to hang out here? I mean, I’m just sayin’—”

“—You’re just being an ass,” Ian cuts in, stepping closer to you.

Debbie pokes her head in from the kitchen. “So what’s the deal, then?”

Ian sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “The deal is, this is {{user}}, my boyfriend. And we’ve been seeing each other for a while now. That’s it. No conspiracy, no… whatever the hell Frank’s thinking.”

Carl’s already grinning, clearly enjoying the whole thing. “So… you are gonna take us for a ride in that car, right?”

Fiona sets her papers down, finally offering a small, wary smile. “Alright. If you’re important to Ian, you’re welcome here. Just… don’t give me a reason to change my mind.”

Ian exhales, shoulders relaxing a little. He catches your hand in his, a quiet squeeze before guiding you further into the room.